were gathered

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were gathered" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a past action where a group of people or things came together or were collected. Example: "The documents were gathered from various departments to prepare for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Students were gathered in general assemblies.

The New York Times

The mothers were gathered, talking.

The Washington Post

We were gathered in the kitchen.

The New Yorker

They were gathered in a few months.

The New York Times

Geolocated tweets were gathered using pig script.

University of California, Berkeley

Measured weather data were gathered and analysed.

Energy Conversion and Management

400 people were gathered for Friday prayer.

The Guardian

The stalks were gathered into sheaves.

Britannica

In another, smashed plane parts were gathered.

The New York Times

A crowd were gathered by a compound.

The Guardian - Opinion

In all, 19 legislators were gathered there.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were gathered", ensure the subject clearly indicates who or what is being collected or assembled. For instance, "The students were gathered in the auditorium" is clearer than "Gathered in the auditorium".

Common error

Avoid using "were gathered" with a singular subject. For example, instead of "The information were gathered", use "The information was gathered" to maintain correct subject-verb agreement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were gathered" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that the subject of the sentence underwent the action of being assembled or collected. As Ludwig AI indicates, it describes a completed action in the past where a group or collection was brought together.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

30%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were gathered" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction that describes a completed action of assembling or collecting. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic writing, and is considered generally neutral to formal in register. When using "were gathered", ensure correct subject-verb agreement and choose alternatives like "were assembled" or "were collected" to tailor the tone to your specific context. Pay special attention to the number and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were assembled

This alternative suggests a more formal or organized gathering.

were collected

This alternative emphasizes the act of bringing things together, often from different places.

were congregated

This alternative is more suitable for describing people coming together in a specific location.

were convened

This alternative implies a formal meeting or assembly called for a specific purpose.

were brought together

This alternative emphasizes the action of uniting separate entities.

were accumulated

This alternative highlights a gradual increase or buildup over time.

were amassed

This alternative suggests a large quantity being collected or gathered.

were accumulated

Similar to "were collected", but emphasizes a gradual increase.

were piled up

Describes items being stacked or accumulated in a heap.

were harvested

Specifically applies to the gathering of crops or natural resources.

FAQs

How can I use "were gathered" in a sentence?

You can use "were gathered" to describe a past action where a group of people or things came together or "were collected". For example, "The attendees were gathered for the conference."

What's a more formal alternative to "were gathered"?

Alternatives like "were assembled" or "were convened" are more formal and can be used in professional or academic writing.

Is it correct to say "was gathered" instead of "were gathered"?

The choice between "was gathered" and "were gathered" depends on the subject's number. Use "was gathered" for singular subjects (e.g., "The data was gathered") and "were gathered" for plural subjects (e.g., "The participants were gathered").

What is the difference between "were gathered" and "were collected"?

While both phrases imply bringing things together, "were gathered" can also suggest an assembly of people, whereas "were collected" typically refers to objects or information. For example, "The team members were gathered" versus "The samples were collected".